Kenvil & Lake Hopatcong Auto Repair

Fall Car Care Awareness Month is upon us! As the crisp air and colorful leaves signal the approach of winter, it’s crucial to turn our attention to the care of our vehicles. It’s safe to say most Northeasterners are pretty used to the colder months and winter driving conditions, but how many of us seriously prepare our vehicles for a winter emergency? There are a few things to consider to help ensure a smooth and worry-free driving experience in the frigid months to come. Below is a list we put together including some essential items to keep in your car and important vehicle checks to consider for your convenience. Part of winter preparation should include a good checkover of the entire vehicle, but there are a few key things we recommend checking before the season starts and throughout the season. One of the most important things to check before winter comes into full swing is the condition of the tires ... read more

Vehicle Health Checks, Our Way  In today’s fast-paced world, our vehicles are more than just a means of transportation—they’re crucial to our daily lives. They enable us to commute to work, run errands, and embark on adventures. More than that, they allow us to create great memories, learn new things, and for some of us car guys and gals, just their presence brings us pride and joy. Given their importance, ensuring that your car is in good working condition is not just a matter of convenience, it is also a matter of safety and well-being. With newer cars getting more and more expensive, we understand the importance of keeping your car on the road in running and driving condition, ready to take on your next challenge with you. Regularly getting your car looked over by a professional mechanic is a key aspect of responsible vehicle ownership. At Automotive Magi ... read more

Our Repair of the Month for October features a 2017 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L V6 with 85,000 miles the customer reported the vehicle was smoking and overheating, but there was no sign of coolant leakage, even though the coolant level was low. In light of this information, we conducted a chemical test to determine if there was an internal coolant leakage in the engine. The test confirmed the presence of exhaust gas in the coolant, which is typically an indication of a bad head gasket or a crack in one or both of the heads (top half of the motor). When the head gasket is damaged, exhaust gas leaks into the coolant system, and the coolant leaks into the motor, where it mixes with engine oil. We confirmed that the head gasket was defective and removed the motor and removed the heads. We advised the customer to replace the heads with new, fully loaded ones, to avoid future problems as other components such as camshafts, timing components, and lifters could also fail. A ... read more

At Automotive Magic, we prioritize delivering exceptional service and repairs to our clients. To achieve this, we have assembled a team of industry experts who are committed to using the latest technology and establishing strong relationships with our vendors to provide our clients with the best possible pricing. Being one of our current clients, you have likely met Jay, our talented technician who joined our team with an impressive list of certifications and a passion for solving problems. He graduated from Wyotech Automotive and Light Diesel Training and is licensed by the state of NJ and the Motor Vehicle Commission for vehicle inspection and emission repairs. Jay's dedication to his craft is admirable; he is always seeking to improve his knowledge and skills and has earned several certifications, including Master Certified Technician, Light Duty Diesel, L1, Gasoline-Powered Engines, and Advanced Level Sp ... read more

Are you ready to give your vehicle some much-needed TLC? Now is the perfect time to do so because Automotive Magic and Magic Lube and Rubber have partnered with NAPA EasyPay to offer you an exciting deal. When you open a NAPA EasyPay credit card or use your existing card for a purchase at either Automotive Magic or Magic Lube and Rubber, you can get a whopping 10% cash back, up to $100! But, hurry, because this fantastic offer is only valid on purchases made through September 30, 2023. NAPA EasyPay is not just any credit card; it's your ticket to unlocking incredible savings while ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly. Here's why you should consider getting one: With NAPA EasyPay, you can enjoy a generous 10% up to $100 via Visa® Prepaid Card by mail at either of our locations. Whether you need an oil change, an alignment, or any other automotive service, we've got you covered. Up to ... read more

Embrace the last rays of summer and make the most of these precious moments. We're here to share some news as August graces us with its presence: the back-to-school excitement is officially underway. If you, or your cherished ones, are gearing up for a return to school come September, consider this a gentle nudge to have your vehicle given a thorough check. Especially if your journeys take you beyond familiar horizons, rest assured that our steadfast commitment, backed by the Napa Nationwide warranty, stands ready to address any repairs you might need. Understanding the value of your time, we've tailored a comprehensive package to assist you in ticking off those tasks on your list. When you bring your vehicle to us, rest assured, we're not simply giving it a once-over – we're conducting an in-depth inspection to ensure your car is primed for the upcoming season. Our Back to School Check encompasses: Tire rotation and balance Alignment adjustmen ... read more

Spring training is when our favorite teams suit up and get their game on. Practice, as they say, makes perfect. We believe the same is true here at Automotive Magic. The Magic isn’t something that is gifted and then taken for granted. It’s earned, learned, nurtured, and matured. That is why we invest our time and financial resources into our team. The automotive industry is ever-changing and evolving, staying on top of the technology is critical to our success and providing the best possible care for your vehicle.  The ASE training is one avenue of source our techs use to learn and grow. The ASE certification is a level of excellence obtained through a series of classes, specific to repair and service consultants. We’ve supported our team members to take part in conferences where the seminars are intense and full of valuable information which we can use to better our services and actions for you.  This year is no different. Some of our team attended the ATI ... read more

Here we have a 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty with a 6.8L V10 that was having multiple cylinders misfiring. After checking for the basics, air fuel and spark all were working as they should. Checking compression showed the engine was having issues in the cylinder sealing d.epartment. Our technician Pete then performed a cylinder leak down test compressing the cylinder with air while the valves are closed. In doing this he was able to determine the cylinder was leaking past the intake and exhaust valves. This is from “burnt valves”, a condition that causes pitting at the valve “seat” where the valve seals the cylinder. Burnt valves happen for many reasons but no matter the reason, the cylinder heads needed to come off and they received a full rebuild from our favorite machine shop.   Before getting the heads back we also decarbonized the pistons and rings to make the bottom end fresh and sealed. The customer took our advice while we were there doing the timing ... read more

Do you ever find yourself having to fill up your tires with air every once and a while? You think you may have a leak, so you take it somewhere to have it checked out and what do you know, you are told that your tire is fine. But how could that be? It was obviously low and losing pressure somewhere.  Most people are unaware that tires are almost constantly losing pressure. The compound and structure that make up a tire is actually filled with tons of microscopic pores, similar to your skin. This causes the air to leak out of the tire at an extremely slow rate, even if you don’t have any puncture in the rubber. One way to battle this slow leak is with Nitrogen. Nitrogen molecules are bigger than Oxygen molecules, so they have more trouble leaking through the tiny pores.  Another benefit of using Nitrogen is that temperature does not affect it like it affects regular air.. If you live in an area where there are drastic temperature changes, you may notice that your tires ... read more

One thing that we know for certain is that tires for your car or truck are expensive. The higher quality and longer lasting they are the price naturally increases. The bummer is that we can’t drive without tires and we shouldn’t drive with tires that are in poor condition, for safety reasons alone you should always make your tires a priority no matter where you live.   Here in the northeast, we have weather conditions that cause damage to the road surfaces, and ultimately can cause damage to your tires and your car in general. Getting a routine alignment check at Magic Lube and Rubber is a service that we offer to all of our customers. When your car is in alignment it ensures that your tires are in contact with the road surface evenly and can actually extend the life of your tires.  When your vehicle is in proper alignment you can avoid premature tire wear and detect if your steering and suspension are not at their proper settings.  ... read more